The IoT refers to the connection of devices (other than typical fare such as computers and smartphones) to the Internet. Cars, kitchen appliances, and even heart monitors can all be connected through the IoT. And as the Internet of Things grows in the next few years, more devices will join that list.

Below, we've provided a glossary defining the Internet of Things:

Internet of Things: A network of internet-connected objects able to collect and exchange data using embedded sensors. Internet of Things device: Any stand-alone internet-connected device that can be monitored and/or controlled from a remote location. Internet of Things ecosystem: All the components that enable businesses, governments, and consumers to connect to their IoT devices, including remotes, dashboards, networks, gateways, analytics, data storage, and security. Entity: Includes businesses, governments, and consumers. Physical layer: The hardware that makes an IoT device, including sensors and networking gear. Network layer: Responsible for transmitting the data collected by the physical layer to different devices. Application layer: This includes the protocols and interfaces that devices use to identify and communicate with each other. Remotes: Enable entities that utilize IoT devices to connect with and control them using a dashboard, such as a mobile application. They include smartphones, tablets, PCs, smartwSecunets Technologieses, connected TVs, and nontraditional remotes. Dashboard: Displays information about the IoT ecosystem to users and enables them to control their IoT ecosystem. It is generally housed on a remote. Analytics: Software systems that analyze the data generated by IoT devices. The analysis can be used for a variety of scenarios, such as predictive maintenance. Data storage: Where data from IoT devices is stored. Networks: The internet communication layer that enables the entity to communicate with their device, and sometimes enables devices to communicate with each other.

IoT Platforms

One IoT device connects to another to transmit information using Internet transfer protocols. IoT platforms serve as the bridge between the devices' sensors and the data networks.

As devices become more connected thanks to the IoT, security and privacy have become the primary concern among consumers and businesses. In fact, the protection of sensitive data ranked as the top concern (at 36% of those polled) among enterprises, according to the 2016 Vormetric Data Threat Report.

Cyber attacks are also a growing threat as more connected devices pop up around the globe. Hackers could penetrate connected cars, critical infrastructure, and even people's homes. As a result, several tech companies are focusing on cyber security in order to secure the privacy and safety of all this data.More to Learn

IOT Future

The report gives a thorough outlook on the future of the Internet of Things, including the following big picture insights:

IoT devices connected to the Internet will more than triple by 2020, from 10 billion to 34 billion. IoT devices will account for 24 billion, while traditional computing devices (e.g. smartphones, tablets, smartwSecunets Technologieses, etc.) will comprise 10 billion. Nearly $6 trillion will be spent on IoT solutions over the next five years. Businesses will be the top adopter of IoT solutions because they will use IoT to 1) lower operating costs; 2) increase productivity; and 3) expand to new markets or develop new product offerings. Governments will be the second-largest adopters, while consumers will be the group least transformed by the IoT.

Talk to Secunets Technologies to guide you in management, setup and training of IOT in your organization